Frankie De La Cruz | Relief Pitcher

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He returns to Milwaukee after posting a 3.80 ERA but ugly 57/58 K/BB ratio over 94 2/3 Triple-A innings with the Cubs. De La Cruz will not be invited to spring training. Fri, Nov 16, 2012 12:08:00 PM

Cubs sent RHP Frankie De La Cruz outright to Triple-A Iowa.

De La Cruz was out of minor league options, but he decided to accept the assignment to Triple-A. The 28-year-old right-hander was claimed off waivers from the Brewers earlier this spring and will function as organizational relief depth this season for the Cubs. Thu, Apr 5, 2012 10:36:00 AM

Cubs claimed RHP Frankie De La Cruz off waivers from the Brewers.

De La Cruz was cut by the Brewers after allowing right runs -- seven earned -- over his first 3 1/3 spring innings. The right-hander has a pretty decent arm, though, and has experiences as both a starter and reliever. He's out of options and seems likely to crack the Cubs' Opening Day roster as a long man. Fri, Mar 16, 2012 02:15:00 PM

If Chris Narveson (thumb) is unable to start Monday during the doubleheader with the Pirates, Frankie De La Cruz could get the ball in his place.

The options are to either go with De La Cruz in what would likely be an abbreviated start since he threw an inning out of the bullpen Thursday and Friday, or call up someone, likely Michael Fiers, for the outing. Wily Peralta is not being considered for the start. Narveson will test out the thumb Saturday before a decision is made. The way the Brewers are going, they could probably let Ron Roenicke make the start and still come away victorious. Sat, Aug 20, 2011 02:15:00 PM

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De La Cruz was out of minor league options, but he decided to accept the assignment to Triple-A. The 28-year-old right-hander was claimed off waivers from the Brewers earlier this spring and will function as organizational relief depth this season for the Cubs.

De La Cruz was cut by the Brewers after allowing right runs -- seven earned -- over his first 3 1/3 spring innings. The right-hander has a pretty decent arm, though, and has experiences as both a starter and reliever. He's out of options and seems likely to crack the Cubs' Opening Day roster as a long man.

If Chris Narveson (thumb) is unable to start Monday during the doubleheader with the Pirates, Frankie De La Cruz could get the ball in his place.

The options are to either go with De La Cruz in what would likely be an abbreviated start since he threw an inning out of the bullpen Thursday and Friday, or call up someone, likely Michael Fiers, for the outing. Wily Peralta is not being considered for the start. Narveson will test out the thumb Saturday before a decision is made. The way the Brewers are going, they could probably let Ron Roenicke make the start and still come away victorious.

Brewers purchased the contract of RHP Eulogio De La Cruz from Triple-A Nashville.

De La Cruz is 7-6 with a 3.88 ERA in 25 games -- 23 starts -- with Nashville this season, striking out 126 over 137 innings. He could start for the Brewers over the weekend in place of the injured Chris Narveson, though Marco Estrada is also being considered. Zack Greinke is expected to be pushed up a day to start Friday.

Cruz spent the entire 2010 season in Japan, pitching for the Yakult Swallows of the Central League. He doesn't have much experience in the major leagues and is unlikely to break through with the Brew Crew.

Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker reports that right-hander Eulogio De La Cruz is headed for Japan.

Newman cites a report out of Japan that states that the hard-throwing right-hander will join the Yakult Swallows of the Central League, with an official announcement expected next week. De La Cruz, 25, was released by the Padres earlier this week. He has an 11.84 ERA in 15 career major league appearances, most recently with the Marlins in April.

De La Cruz was acquired from the Marlins back in March, but was designated for assignment by the big club after allowing two runs over 3 1/3 innings in April. He spent the rest of the season with Triple-A Portland, posting a 3.12 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP in 69 1/3 innings.

De La Cruz had allowed two runs in 3 2/3 innings with the Padres. He has significantly more upside than Edward Mujica, so we think the Padres should have kept him. Still, he's not ready to be a quality reliever just yet.

Padres acquired RHP Eulogio De La Cruz from the Marlins for cash considerations.

It wasn't a straight waiver claim, but it's still a nice grab for the Padres. De La Cruz lacks polish for a 25-year-old, but he has the stuff to excel out of the pen and it's possible he'll break through this year.

The Padres have reportedly claimed RHP Eulogio De La Cruz off waivers from the Marlins.

Because he was out of options, De La Cruz appeared to have a very good chance of making the Marlins, and he had hardly embarrassed himself while giving up four runs -- two earned -- in 5 1/3 innings this spring. He's an excellent pickup for the Padres. With his 92-95 mph fastball and plus changeup, he has the stuff to serve as a setup man or maybe a closer someday. He's easily a better bet than either relief prospect the team picked up from the Cardinals in the Khalil Greene deal.

Eulogio De La Cruz pitched two scoreless innings in his start against the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.

De La Cruz did allow three hits, but it was still an impressive outing against a loaded lineup. Since he's out of options, he'll likely need only a decent spring to guarantee himself a spot in Florida's pen. He'd also be an option for the rotation if Andrew Miller pitches himself back to the minors.

De La Cruz went 13-8 with a 4.34 ERA, which is quite impressive for an Albuquerque pitcher. However, he was lit up in one start and two relief appearances for Florida earlier this season. He'll probably be reserved for mop-up duties this month.

De La Cruz allowed five earned runs in his first relief appearance last Wednesday, and the Marlins were afraid to use him after that. His only other appearance came last night, when he allowed two runs -- one earned -- in 1 1/3 innings. The team picked a truly awful way to handle one of its best young arms. Taylor Tankersley could take his place in the pen.

Eulogio De La Cruz was charged with six runs -- five earned -- without retiring a batter Wednesday in his first appearance out of the Marlins' pen.

De La Cruz was a starter all year in Triple-A. If the Marlins were giving serious thought to calling him up to act as a reliever, wouldn't the smart move have been to have him make a couple of appearances out of the pen in Triple-A? To bring him to the majors and change his role in one fell swoop, well, it seems like it was too much for the 24-year-old to handle.

Depth Charts

Jonathan Lucroy received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right hamstring on Tuesday.

Lucroy said the official diagnosis was a partially torn hamstring tendon, but the Brewers are calling it a mild strain. Either way, the belief is that he'll miss 4-6 weeks, which still gives him enough time to be ready for Opening Day. "The cool thing about it is I can hit and throw and catch and not feel anything," said Lucroy. "But when I start running, I feel it. It's not that big of a deal. These things usually heal on their own. So, we gave it a little incentive to heal with the PRP insertion. It is what it is. There's no reason to panic."

While the Brewers are limiting his extra hitting during the early part of spring training, there are no extra limitations on Ryan Braun (thumb).

This jibes well with the reports that have been received throughout the offseason that Braun is back to 100 percent and that his thumb shouldn't be an issue moving forward. The 31-year-old is looking to rebound from a disappointing 2014 season where he slashed just .266/.324/.453 with 19 homers and 81 RBI in 135 games.

Jim Henderson (shoulder) threw live batting practice on Sunday for the first time since undergoing surgery in August to repair his right labrum and rotator cuff.

The veteran right-hander said he felt good after the session, though his command wasn't where he wanted it to be. The next step could be for Henderson to get into game action at some point next week, and barring any setbacks he appears to be on track for the start of the regular season.